ACCOUNTING, FINANCIAL CONSULTING, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS TAX SERVICES

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Our Mission

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide creative and timely solutions to the ever-changing Accounting/Tax, Financial Reporting and Financial Services challenges that confront businesses and individuals everyday.

Our Mission

Our Philosophy

Our many years of experience and dedication to superior service allows Emerge Financial Group to offer a variety of professional services at the level our clients have come to expect. Our blend of resources puts various capable financial professionals to work in relentless pursuit of your success when it comes to your business and Financial Services. Our clients have taught us a great deal over the years. We understand that they are our best resource for sharpening our craft. It is our pleasure to be here for you – prepared to offer you the full benefit of our hard work and expertise.

Our Philosophy

Our Values

  • We scrutinize each opportunity to make strategic decisions toward the best possible outcome for you.
  • We provide counsel and recommendations based upon your current financial needs and personal goals. Our clients’ needs are our highest priority.
  • Our philosophy will always be anchored by superior client service, integrity, and superior client service.

Our Process

Financial success doesn’t just happen. It is achieved through commitment, planning and effective implementation. Whether building the foundation for a new business, you need someone you can trust to guide you through thousands of seemingly conflicting alternatives. We create fully integrated strategies for you and then facilitate and manage the various financial components in order to achieve the ultimate success.

Emerge Financial Group’s holistic financial economies process often exceeds the results of traditional needs based plans. To identify the most effective Financial Services and reporting strategies for you, our team will listen to your goals, and then review your financial history to generate a current financial picture. As we create your financial services roadmap, our goals are to:

  • Analyze your financial/business objectives
  • Assess your financial services options
  • Identify potential roadblocks
  • Advise you on sound, fully integrated financial strategies
  • Monitor changes and take appropriate action

Our Team

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships."  - Michael Jordan

 

Emerge Financial Group’s over 30 years of accounting and tax preparation experience makes it possible to offer a wide variety of professional services. Partners, accountants and staff work together to provide you with the tools you need to paint your business and financial picture.  We're here for you – prepared to offer you the benefit of our hard work and expertise.

LEADERSHIP

Keith T. Towns

Keith T. Towns has 30+ years of financial accounting experience. He has specialized in small business consulting, including month-end close, establishment of accounting policies and accounting system assessment.

Towns’ experience includes individuals in the sports & entertainment industry and real estate development industry as well as other diverse sectors of the business community. Mr. Towns holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.

lEADERSHIP

James Lane, CPA

James W. Lane has also served the accounting profession for 19 years. He worked his way from Administrative Staff Accountant turned Senior Tax Accountant with Laclede Gas Company in St. Louis, Missouri to Senior Associate and then Accounting Manager with Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLP.

Lane’s experience includes everything from non-profit organizations to public utilities. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

H. Eugene Hilliard, Jr.

Gene Hilliard has over 15 years of experience working in the financial services industry with companies including Bank of America, Charles Schwab and AssetMark Investment Services Inc.

As a member of the Emerge Financial Group Team, Gene serves our clients by analyzing their specific financial needs, designing a personalized program to fit those needs, and offering the added security that comes from his careful monitoring of each phase of their process.

Hilliard holds a Bachelor of Art’s degree and is pursuing the CFP designation.

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MARKETING

Sonya Ruffin, APR

Sonya Ruffin has many years of experience in marketing and public relations. She comes to Emerge Financial Group to round out services offered to our clients. Sonya specializes in communications initiatives that strengthen your presence in the global marketplace – including branding, graphic design, web development, social media, and media relations.

Sonya has earned the distinction of Accredited in Public Relations (APR), a mark of distinction bestowed by the Universal Accreditation Board for public relations professionals.

Sonya has served in the transportation infrastructure, state government, entertainment, and non-profit industries.

SENIOR TAX PREPARER

Ronie Zhang

Ronie Zhang is an experienced and knowledgeable accountant who can help you save money and grow your business. Ronie completed her BBA in accounting at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law. She has over 25 years of experience in accounting management. This experience has given her a deep understanding of the complexities of both domestic and international finance and taxation. Ronie brought her expertise to the U.S., where she has been successful as a bookkeeper and tax preparer at a CPA firm. She is also an Enrolled Agent, which means she is licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

But Ronie is more than just a numbers whiz. She is a passionate professional who is dedicated to helping businesses succeed, and she enjoys finding creative solutions to complex tax problems.

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

Mariah Sosa

Mariah is a financial detective. For 20 years, she's cracked the code on complex finances across diverse industries. Accounts receivable and payable? Easy wins. Month-end closing? A breeze. Financial analysis? She speaks its language fluently. Mariah is a seasoned professional known for her expertise in financial management and meticulous attention to detail. Throughout her career, she has excelled in roles across various industries, consistently demonstrating proficiency.

Mariah doesn't just crunch numbers, she transforms them into organizational success stories. Whether you're a seasoned CFO or a budding entrepreneur, Mariah's got your back.

 

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Aniela Garcia

Aniela was born in Venezuela and has a BBA in accounting from Dr. Rafael Belloso Chacin University. She began her career in 2006 as a bookkeeper at an accounting firm. Aniela has experience in payroll, AR, and AP and is super detail oriented and organized. Aniela has a love of accounting and is passionate about numbers (her signature includes G2!). Aniela loves learning new things and hopes to become a CPA one day.

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

Penny Nevarez

Penny brings over thirty years of banking experience to Emerge Financial Group. She started as a teller and worked her way to a supervisory role. She has also served as a supervisor in the Insurance, Research and Asset Recovery and Consumer Products areas of banking. She has worked for banking institutions such as Bank of the West, Bank of America and Napa Valley Bank. Penny is a proud mother of two and a grandmother of five whose favorite activities are those she shares with family and friends.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Linda Morgan Taylor

Linda Morgan Taylor has over 30 years of business experience in Telecommunications, having started as an Operator for Pacific Telephone Company and working through the ranks to a Supervisory position and later to a Management Position with AT&T. Her background includes management in Switched Services, Engineering and Operations departments. Also, she provided support to the Accounting Department with Budgets and Payroll Services within AT&T Company. Linda worked with a Law Firm assisting with Probate, Medical Malpractice and Criminal cases.

Emerge Financial Group Associates

Emerge Financial Group is privileged to work with some of the best professionals across multiple disciplines in order to bring the best targeted services to bear for every client. We have established collaborative relationships with high-performing experts in real estate, medicine, marketing, human resources, and more.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Henry A. Gusman, CPA

Henry Gusman is a leader when it comes to complex, independent internal audits. His strengths include the improvement of internal processes, risk management, corporate governance of internal processes and internal controls. He has a strong history of success in partering with management and working cross-departmentally to drive organizational improvements. Gusman has independently led and managed Internal Audit and Sarbanes-Oxley departments with budgets of over $6 million. He is particularly adept at managing geographically dispersed teams.

Mr. Gusman is a Certified Public Accountant with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, as well as other professional and community organizations.

ACCOUNTING

Doris Chatman, CPA

Doris Chatman has 19 years of financial accounting experience. She specializes in small business consulting including month-end close, establishment of accounting policies and system assessment. Ms. Chatman has extensive experience in the technology and health care industries.

Chatman spent seven years at Arthur Andersen where she was a manager in Small Business Consulting. She also has served as a Finance Manager for Agilent Technologies. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.

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The Avantax family of companies exclusively provide investment products and services through its representatives. Although Avantax Wealth Management does not provide tax or legal advice, or supervise tax, accounting or legal services, Avantax representatives may offer these services through their independent outside business.

 

This information is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.